In 2004, the International Association of Firefighters (IAFF) signed a resolution that prohibited cell phone antennas from being placed on fire hall property until they are proven to be safe. I took part in helping to draft that resolution. We drafted it for the following reasons:
Studies show that people who live near cell phone antennas have a greater risk of developing certain types of cancers and of suffering from symptoms called electrosensitivity (sleep disorders, chronic fatigue, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, and cognitive disfunction).
Firemen are already exposed to cancer-causing agents in the line of duty. The smoke they inhale is carcinogenic so they need to pay particular attention to their health. These chemicals and the radiation from cell towers can interact to be even more powerful carcinogens.
Studies with rats show that microwave radiation promotes growth of cancer cells at levels below Heath Canada's Safety Code 6 Guidelines.
Studies of fire fighters, from a fire hall in California that had cell antennas installed on the roof 5-years earlier, showed that these fire fighters had abnormal brain activity based on SPECT scans, which the doctor in charge of the study attributed to microwave radiation.
For these reasons fire fighters should not be exposed to radiation from cell phone antennas and the related power transformers that are placed on fire hall property.
In this video, the Town of Oakville debates the safety and legal issues related to commercial cell phone antennas on fire hall property.
What I find disturbing is that the Police Chief disregards the IAFF Resolution #15 that prohibits commercial cell antennas on or near fire halls. And that the health of fire fighters and the local residents is worth less than the $40 k dollars they will save annually.
When the Police decide that money is more important than the health of fire fighters, it sends a signal that their moto - To Serve and Protect - does not include their brothers in the fire department or the general population that live close to the antenna.
To learn more about this tragic situation visit - http://www.mybronte.ca
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